True Convergence uses music to spread message

Dan Stankiewicz of Resurrection Life of Midland poses for a portrait inside the church on Monday, Sept. 17. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Dan Stankiewicz of Resurrection Life of Midland poses for a portrait inside the church on Monday, Sept. 17. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

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Dan Stankiewicz of Resurrection Life of Midland poses for a portrait inside the church on Monday, Sept. 17. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Dan Stankiewicz of Resurrection Life of Midland poses for a portrait inside the church on Monday, Sept. 17. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

True Convergence uses music to spread message

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In the City of Beautiful Churches, Dan Stankiewicz is using music to transcend boundaries and help people understand the love of God. The associate pastor of Resurrection Life Midland church is reaching out to troubled souls through his nonprofit, True Convergence.

"We want them to feel that God loves them," Stankiewicz said. "They need to know that Christ died for them, for their sins. They don't have to go through life alone. They need to know someone's there for them."

Stankiewicz began his mission in 2012 when Pastor James Smith wanted to expand Resurrection Life's ministry outside of the church walls. They began holding services in Stratford Woods Park before moving to Chippewassee Park. Stankiewicz noticed the kids at Trilogy Skate Park intently listening to the services' music and wanted to reach out to them. He began by bringing over water and hot dogs and talking with the kids.

"We got to be known as the 'church group,'" he said.

As he conversed with the skaters, Stankiewicz realized that they needed help and guidance; the problem was how to bring them into the fold of a church. He prayed and reflected before he received the answer: music.

"A lot of kids, they don't come to church. Since music is the only universal language, we took the music to them."

Stankiewicz had his share of problems in his younger years, including substance abuse. Since he followed God's call 40 years ago, one of his goals is to help those who are going through those same struggles. He continues to his past experience to relate to others, and his faith to lead them back on the right path.

"You don't know what's going on behind their eyes. You don't know the pain, the agony, the loneliness, the depression. We want to make ourselves available," Stankiewicz observed.

On June 20, 2015, True Convergence held its first major "outreach" as Stankiewicz calls them, "Come to the River." Christian bands Blue Tree, Jason Eaton Band and illusionist Tom Coverly made appearances. The following April, True Convergence partnered with Midland Nazarene church to host another outreach that brought in 350 kids, 25 of which turned to Christianity.

"If I can keep one kid from going into the life I had or what you see out there and give them that faith to make it through and support them, I've won," Stankiewicz said.

One of the unique aspects of True Convergence's outreaches is that they don't promote one denomination over another. Area churches are invited to be present at the concerts to provide information on the off chance guests are interested in joining a congregation. Stankiewicz said doesn't matter if a person decides to attend Resurrection or another church, as long as the individual is comfortable and his needs are met.

"There's so many good churches in Midland ... we're blessed to have a good city like this."

For the past three years True Convergence has hosted six major Christian concerts, with a seventh event coming in October. The funds from a performance go straight into the next outreach, with Stankiewicz covering the rest of the cost. While his approach to ministry has been deemed unconventional, for him, the possibility of making a difference in just one person's life is worth any cost.

"It's our responsibility to give them Jesus' great commission: Go into the world and preach the gospel, make disciples of all nations. That's what he said. Not to sit at church."

True Convergence's next outreach, Small Town Worship, will take place at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7 at North Point Ministries, 5920 Jefferson Ave., Midland. VIP tickets are $20, general admission is $10 and $7 for general admission of groups of four or more. The show will feature Seventh Day Slumber, Brooke Robertson and Nathan Sheridan.